A pesky weed to most, to me a dandelion is a creation of great beauty and tenacity. When it lifts its flowerhead toward the light, it opens to reveal 1,000s of yellow blossoms. Eventually those blossoms are shoved away and the fluffy seed head appears. When they are ready for planting the little parachutes take flight. Not all seeds take root, but those that do are an example of doing it right.

Author Mary DeMuth is a lady after my own heart. One who loves watching others blossom. Yet is content to remain behind the scenes. She is a seed sower. The 11 Secrets of Getting Published require the tenacity of a dandelion, but if you really want to be a published writer, your roots must go deep. Mary tells you how, fertilizes and waters through each chapter so that you can reach that goal of a finished and published work.

She will delight in the blossoming of new writers. And her seeds of knowledge abound in the 229 pages and can be planted over & over through this book.

For those of you who want to write and for writers desiring to be published, I highly recommend this book. It is available inexpensively as a Kindle edition at Amazon. 

Is it time for you to take root and blossom?

Lesson Re-learned:

      I thought I had a virus and was really dragging, but nothing developed. The tiredness continued though then I gained over 10 pounds. Eek! It was water retention and rapidly increased. When I woke up with swollen legs- upper and lower- and sausage feet, I had one of those ahah moments. The pill I take for my diabetes caused me to go into congestive heart failure (CHF). No wonder I didn’t feel like doing anything. And thankfully, I mostly rested. It takes 2-3 weeks for the swelling to decrease. By last week I was feeling much better.

      CHF is a diagnosis for several conditions and for me my heart wasn’t failing. It was just working harder due to the accumulation of fluid. That’s why I’m thankful I listened to my body and rested. Had I pushed it, I may have been in big trouble, and not writing this now.

       God created us amazingly and wonderfully complex. He also added some safety valves- the signals given us to slow down and rest, to go to the doctor; even pain is a safety valve. Plus a mind to recognize those signals.

      Like you, I wish doctors were better listeners. I am blessed with one that does and because of that I always ask for the last appointment so I’m not infringing on another patient’s time. Maybe it’s because of my years of nursing experience, but she also talks with me by phone eliminating some office visits. When I am ill, she phones to check up on me. Yes, I’m blessed!

Selah... 

            think on these things.

I had the unexpected pleasure of watch a heavy, wet snowfall in the wee hours of the morning. Prior to the snow there had been high winds with heavy gusts, but they had passed by the time the snow came. Now over 12 hours later, it is raining and washing away the slush that man created all day; but 2-4 more inches of snow is forecast for tonight.

By 8 a.m. we received over 6 inches of pristine, unique snowflakes joining together to weigh down tree limbs and wires causing power outages. Cars and roads were covered- a good day for 4 wheel-drive and driving slo-o-owly. Schools & many offices were closed. The Red Cross has set up an emergency shelter... 500-1000 in the county are without electricity this evening.

I wonder how many saw the beauty of all those lacy ice crystals as well as its mighty power. If I was younger, I'd build a snowman and make snow angels. I hope my gran'kids did.

But with all this beauty, I am remembering a young girl from the Middle East on the radio shortly after 9/11. She & the women with her were risking their very lives by talking to a male reporter of the abuses women in Islamic countries face every day. I don't remember any words except for hers, "I can't even go out and make a snowman."

Nearly 10 years later, I am still affected by her simple words. I shall never see snow or a snowman without remembering the freedom we have.

Yes, the snowfall early this morning was beautiful, mighty & a reminder never to take our freedoms for granted.

Shalom, Connie

P.S. Check my website for Valentine give-aways: http://www.4him2u.com
Names will be drawn February 28th for free books & journals.